1. Subsidies for bulk RNA sequencing: These will cover part of the cost of poly-A RNA (not total RNA) sequencing laboratory supplies and processing, along with basic gene-level analysis, in the BU Microarray and Sequencing Resource (BUMSR).  Projects must consist of either 12 samples (i.e., one Illumina P2 flow cell) or 24-30 samples (i.e., one Illumina P3 flow cell).For projects that are chosen for support, the BU CTSI will cover material and processing costs up to a total of $5,000 for P2 projects or a total of $10,000 for P3 projects. Investigators will be charged any costs remaining after the contribution from the CTSI. (Note: It is expected that RNA extraction from samples will be performed by the investigator, and the cost of this is not covered.) All projects will be sequenced using the Illumina NextSeq 2000 instrument, and investigators may choose either 50×50 bp or 100×100 bp paired-end sequencing. Please discuss the exact pricing with BUMSR Director Yuriy Alekseyev.
2. Subsidies for single-cell RNA sequencing: These will cover part of the cost of single-cell sequencing laboratory supplies and processing, along with basic data analysis, in the Single-Cell Sequencing Core (SCSC).  Projects must consist of either 4 samples with a total of ~10,000 cells (i.e., one Illumina P2 flow cell) or 4-6 samples with a total of ~24,000 cells (i.e., one Illumina P3 flow cell).  For projects that are chosen for support, the BU CTSI will cover material and processing costs up to a total of $10,000 per project.  Investigators will be charged for any costs remaining after the contribution from the CTSI.  Note: this RFA is limited to single cell RNA-seq of live cells (viability >90%) or nuclei, and awardees will need to meet with SCSC Director Yuriy Alekseyev for a consultation prior to planning the single cell experiment.

Investigators should only apply for support if their research timeline is such that the core laboratory use or delivery of RNA specimens to the BUMSR can take place within a quick timeframe. In order to expedite requests please make sure to explain what exactly the experimental design will be (RNA-seq or scRNA-seq, how many samples, what is the read length for RNA-seq or what is the cell capture number for scRNA-seq.

Only projects that have all necessary IRB, IACUC, and IBC approvals already completed are eligible (approval numbers and expiration dates required in the application).